Page 137 of Merciless Queen

Still, the sentiment remains, and I ball up a wad of spit and send it straight to the stone’s base.

“That isn’t for me, or for Madre or Serafina, or even Padre. That’s for Vanessa. You tried to break her, and it’s a shame you can’t see for yourself how you failed. You taught her to not trust anyone but I, Zeno Mancini, vow to teach her otherwise.”

To show her how another person’s affection isn’t something to run from.

Then I walk away as my words are stolen by the winds and taken from the cemetery and beyond, headed toward New York where his remains lie.

Me

Meet you at Posol'stv. I need a night away. For good this time. I promise it won’t be like last time.

Anastasia

I’m hesitant to believe that. Besides, it’s not Friday. And you’re no longer you.

Me

Wish I knew what that meant, but just meet me.

Anastasia

Only if we go before opening.

Me

Business there?

Anastasia

Yes.

That’show I find myself sitting in the VIP section ofPosol'stv, waiting for Anastasia. While the club isn’t Bratva-owned, the owners are more than happy to let me in whenever I want. As staff flit around, preparing for opening within a couple hours, I’m nursing a rum and coke.

Light streams through when the main entrance door opens and a murmured voice tells me Anastasia’s arrived. Her steps quickly pound up the staircase before she drops in the low seating across from me and waves away the bartender, who holds up a glass, silently offering her a drink. She crosses one leg over the other and leans back into the deep, recessed-styled chair, her elbow propping onto the backing.

She’s not dressed to be at a club. Her workout leggings and a sports bra are the complete opposite, suggesting she recently came from the gym. When she’s not in her studio practicing ballet, she’s often at the gym, toning her body. Her blonde hair is wrapped up in a messy bun, and her skin looks dewy from her recent workout.

“When’s your next show?” I ask before she can speak. It’s been an unfortunate length of time since I’ve last come to one, usually caught up in my own business and chasing Boris, all of which is done now.

“Few weeks,” she replies.

“I know you said you have business here, but this is how you’re dressing for the night?” I gesture to her outfit of choice.

Anastasia rolls her eyes and drops her legs, leaning forward to pin an intense glare on me. “Van,you’remy business.”

Annoyance brings my drink to my mouth again, swallowing a large chug before replying. “If this is about Ze?—”

“This is about the fact you wanted to come here tonight, on the same day Zeno’s in town.”

“He shouldn’t evenbein town, butsomeonelet him walk right through the front door.”

“I’m not apologizing for that. You two need to figure your shit out because you’re avoiding.”

“Avoiding?” Annoyance drips through the word, and I lean forward, slamming the glass on the low table between us. “All I want is for it to be over.”

“Do you?” A thin brow ticks up. “Or do youthinkthat’s what you want?”

Um—“I don’t want to be?—”

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